Ryan Reaves Hangs Up His Skates After 16-Year NHL Career
The veteran enforcer, known for his physical play and numerous fights, announced his retirement on social media.
Ryan Reaves, a prominent enforcer in the National Hockey League for 16 seasons, announced his retirement from the sport on Wednesday. He shared the news in a detailed post on Instagram, expressing gratitude for his career and the support he received.
"Today, I retire from the sport I’ve loved since I was 5 years old," Reaves wrote. "It was a hell of a ride. Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this journey. There are too many to single out, so you’ll hear from me at some point."
Reaves, who will turn 40 in January, played for seven NHL teams during his career: the Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and most recently, the San Jose Sharks.
He established himself as one of the league's most feared physical players, known for his willingness to engage in fights. One notable incident occurred last October when Reaves fought Rangers enforcer Matt Rempe, who sustained a broken thumb as a result.
Reaves became a fan favorite after being traded to the Rangers from the Golden Knights in 2021. His first fight as a Ranger that November against Canadiens rookie Michael Pezzetta drew a standing ovation from the Madison Square Garden crowd.
During his tenure with the Rangers, Reaves played 81 games, scoring five goals and accumulating 13 points. He also appeared in 18 playoff games during the team's run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2022. The Rangers traded him to Minnesota later that November.
Over his 962 regular-season games, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound winger recorded 66 goals and 140 points. He also amassed over 1,100 penalty minutes. Reaves concluded his playing career with three goals in 50 games for the Sharks in the previous season.
"I may not be on the ice anymore, but I know I will always be close to hockey in one way or another," Reaves added in his retirement announcement. "You can rest easy knowing the corners are a little safer today. Mic drop, gloves drop. Reavo out."